11 amazing upcycling project ideas to ignite your creativity

Creative people are sharing their upcycling project ideas in droves - here's how you can get involved.

What is upcycling?

Upcycling is a term used for being creative with something old and making it into something useful. For example cutting a discarded bath in half and turning it into a quirky armchair, or something as simple as painting an old piece of furniture.

Here are 11 brilliant transformations we spotted on Twitter – and they are making us feel inspired to get creative.

1. Make a chair from books

It's #NationalUpcyclingDay! Can you think of any innovative uses for your old books? pic.twitter.com/znEb9kSN1i

— The Book People (@TheBookPeople) June 24, 2015

2. Paint an old piece of furniture

Special Upcycle for my lovely sister :-) #NationalUpcyclingDay pic.twitter.com/9sPDiCivIx

— Vikki Sherouse (@Veelou_Upcycled) June 24, 2015

Let's start an #UpcyclingRevolution @Gumtree!! Happy #NationalUpcyclingDay ALL!! pic.twitter.com/Y2GBnUT5gi

— J.E.David (@JamesEdavid) June 24, 2015

Watch how we brought this tired wardrobe back to life with a touch of colour #NationalUpcyclingDay. https://t.co/NTROM8WirD

— Farrow & Ball (@FarrowandBall) June 24, 2015

cantilever sewing box #NationalUpcyclingDay from drab to fab! @Gumtree pic.twitter.com/WKQc0CiNkc

— Helen's Retro Home (@HelensRetro) June 24, 2015

3. Make furniture from discarded materials

#NationalUpcyclingDay this is what i made last year – a coffee table from 2 pallets and massive trolley wheels pic.twitter.com/5I6YBIGDpp

— laura (@hungryhamster) June 24, 2015

4. Make ornaments from wine corks

Hi #NationalUpcyclingDay we make these from used wine corks … 'The Corkz' available only at http://t.co/N5Y7nFNaiG pic.twitter.com/7wiCblrIIR

— Emslie Grey (@EmslieGrey) June 24, 2015

5. Make stylish storage from old boxes

How to turn an old shoebox into designer storage. New tutorial! http://t.co/2canwByDGz #NationalUpcyclingDay #Craft pic.twitter.com/HI7BBdMTAe

— Off the Wall (@OffTheWallShop) June 24, 2015

6. Build a dolls house in a vintage suitcase

We always see old suitcases at local markets but we’d never think to do this! #DollsHouse #NationalUpcyclingDay pic.twitter.com/jZ2HwYQkf1

— Ecover (@EcoverUK) June 24, 2015

7. Make a lampshade from plastic bottles

My 'Earth' lampshade from upcycled plastic bottles is now completed… #NationalUpcyclingDay @Gumtree @maxreestore pic.twitter.com/tsV3WQw7I7

— Bee Jasko (@rehash_panache) June 24, 2015

8. Decorate old jars and tubes to make wedding table vases

How about #upcycled Pringles tubes & jars for wedding tables. Amazing what jute &ribbon can do #NationalUpcyclingDay pic.twitter.com/aeT1Coq6cB

— Cheryl Lumley (@cheryl_lumley) June 24, 2015

9. Turn a jerry can into a mini-bar

happy #NationalUpcyclingDay to @maxreestore and @Gumtree,today I will@mostly be making mini bars from old Jerry cans pic.twitter.com/Q59gTAXstC

— Jez (@Trongupcycling) June 24, 2015

10. Re-upholster a piece of furniture with some funky fabric

Happy #NationalUpcyclingDay! Found this bench next to a dumpster and had to save it. pic.twitter.com/qHvyhRGO7B

— Lisa's Free Stuff (@lsheldon5) June 24, 2015